Hunt for ‘Sharkzilla’ terrorising New York coast & leaving trail of horror as scientists fear beast is nuclear mutant

THE hunt is on for a mysterious predator lurking off the coast of New York as scientists fear the beast is a nuclear mutant. Marine experts were horrified when a humpback whale was found with 24-inch bite marks, and the carcass of a 400lb tuna was torn to shreds. Scientists are on the hunt for a mutant shark Credit: Discovery Channel The unidentified animal ravaged several marine animals Credit: Discovery Channel The unnerving scenes have now turned Montauk into a real-life hunting ground. Local shark expert Craig O’Connell said the wave of brutal attacks could indicate the return of enormous predators long thought to have vanished from beneath the waves. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! He also warned it raised the possibility that nuclear waste has been leaking into the ocean, affecting the wildlife. Marine experts now face the daunting task of hunting what could be a mutant shark that is faster, stronger and deadlier than the rest of its species. Experts are now surveying the coast of Montauk Credit: Discovery Channel The link between leaking nuclear waste and the predator remains unproven Credit: Discovery Channel O’Connell launched an investigation in September 2025 following reports of marine animals being savaged off Long Island. With a storm brewing, the team had just 30 hours to locate the creature, and collect a tissue sample for testing. In the meantime, they dubbed the monster “Sharkzilla”. Montauk was once a popular destination where fishermen could encounter all sorts of large animals, but years of intense fishing have devasted populations. Most read in The Sun “In the past, this is the place you came to catch monster sharks,” O’Connell said. “There are so many records right here off the shores of Montauk. “All these monster sharks were completely fished out. They’re gone. “But all the evidence we are seeing is telling me that all these big sharks might be back. Marine experts dived into the water to try and catch a glimpse of the beast Credit: Discovery Channel After successfully retrieving a tissue sample, the radioactivity theory was disproven Credit: Discovery Channel “I know those big sharks are out there, and we are going to find them.” The team’s search efforts lead them to the Hudson Canyon, a gigantic underwater chasm that plunges to depths of 4,000ft. Comparable in scale to the Grand Canyon, the pitch-black cavity provides the perfect hiding spot for some of the ocean’s largest predators. Located approximately 160km off the coast of Montauk, it also has a dark history. “In the late 1960s, they dumped 15,000 barrels of nuclear waste in the Hudson Canyon,” O’Connell said. “Ten years later, they went out to check on these barrels, and they were all leaking.” However, O’Connell stressed the controversial theory linking the nuclear waste to the unknown predator remains unproven. “Radioactive leaks could be impacting wildlife, even top predators,” he said. “If animals are subjected to nuclear waste, this could cause genetic mutations and abnormal growth. “If this predator is genetically altered, it could be faster, stronger and deadlier than any predator on Earth. We are calling it Sharkzilla.” After sending a camera into the depths, terrifying footage showed a huge mouth emerge from the darkness. ‘That is an absolutely massive great white shark,’ O’Connell said. After further sightings, eventually a giant female mako charged toward to the boat. Makos are the fastest sharks in the ocean and are capable of moving at speeds exceeding 64 kilometres per hour, “This is Sharkzilla,” O’Connell declared. Measuring nearly 12ft long, the female mako appeared powerful enough to have inflicted the enormous wounds found on animals off Long Island. After some initial struggles, O’Connell was able to attach a tracker tag and retrieve a tissue sample before the team headed home. Tests ultimately found no evidence that the mako had radioactive mutations, destroying the team’s exciting theory. Comment now